ActiveEdge technology is an auto-compensating boring-bar system that is said to allow extremely high bore tolerances to be held on a machine automatically. The boring bars, which are manufactured in the UK at Rigibore’s headquarters in Cornwall, are being made available as an option on Mazak’s VCN-530C machining centre.
Rigibore’s ActiveEdge tooling has a separate drive mechanism integrated into the rotating tool which can be adjusted to within individual microns on a wireless closed feedback system. The tools enable multiple critical diameters to be machined simultaneously, significantly reducing cycle times and increasing process efficiency. Typically, ActiveEdge users are working within a tolerance of circa 0.002 micron on bore diameters.
ActiveEdge has a number of advantages, including its ability to enable machine operators to meet critical tolerances without removing the tool from the machining envelope. As a result, machine uptime, productivity and operator safety are improved, while scrap is reduced due to the system’s highly accurate cutting.
Alan Mucklow, managing director UK and Ireland sales and service division at Yamazaki Mazak, says: “We recently showcased ActiveEdge technology at our ‘Manufacturing Solutions NOW’ open house in Worcester and got a fantastic response from customers working in boring-bar applications.
“Boring-bar work has often slowed cycle times due to the need for extremely high tolerances and manual adjustment by the operator,” he continues. “The option to specify the ActiveEdge technology with the VCN-530C offers Mazak users working in boring-bar applications the ability to maintain cycle times while improving cut accuracy, due to wireless adjustment of the cutting tool during the process.”
Mazak Europe is now working with Rigibore and other Mazak manufacturing facilities across the world to integrate ActiveEdge technology into horizontal machining centres and Integrex technology, as well as a retrofit option for machines that are already in the field.
